Month: January 2010

Wild cats in my workshop

You may have discerned that I have a real weakness for cats. Back in 1987, there were some wild cats living underneath Thrifty Drug Store in downtown Visalia. I shared a parking lot with these cats and fell in love with one of the little ones. A man named George fed them regularly and helped me catch the long-haired one with Siamese coloring. Turns out this is a breed of cat called “American Ragdoll”. Of course I understand that my little cat was just a lucky accident of random breeding, but she most definitely had the characteristics of the Ragdoll breed. We had Fritzi for 13 years, and she was definitely the cat love of my life. After we lost her, I began looking for a baby Fritz. We had Wilson (aka Buster), Scout and Prudence, and then Zeke and Amos. The only survivor in this attempt so far is Zeke. He is definitely NOT of the American Ragdoll breed, although he does have the coloring and the size. Last fall, my friend from the Sequoia RV Ranch http://www.sequoiarvranch.com/ told me of a litter of cats underneath one of their storage mobile homes. When she described them, I knew I was a goner. Michael told me to just go get all three, and now for about 2 months we have had a mom (Cashmere) and her 2 little boy cats living in the workshop where I paint.

One of those little guys still won’t let us touch him. Look at him:

He has no tail and he hoppity-runs like a Manx. So far we have called him Hoppy, Cassidy, Butch, Manx, Dummy, and currently, Steely Dan. (He steals around? His eyes are steely blue?) How can one name a cat who won’t respond to any overtures in a positive manner? I could call him Scairdy or Chicken Little, but I like names with a little dignity for the cats in my life. By the way, Cashmere is reminding me an awful lot of my sweet Fritzi! Her son O’Reilly is just bold and fresh, and reminds me a bit of Buster. This guy? I dunno, I just dunno. Sigh.

American Ragdoll

A Nice Walk

Ever been to Marble Falls? Until one week ago, I hadn’t. It is in the foothills of Sequoia National Park, and I’ve heard it is steep and hot; it isn’t that steep, and in January, it was pleasantly warm (low 70s) and very green. To get there, go into the Potwisha campground and drive to the far end where there is parking for a few cars at the trailhead. Walk along an interesting old flume for 1/4 mile, and then, don’t get so interested in the flume that you fail to notice the small “TRAIL” sign to the right.

This flume borrows water temporarily from the Marble Fork of the Kaweah, uses it to make electricity near Ash Mountain for Southern California Edison, and sends it right back into the river. Clean, established, historic, good!

Here is a photo of looking down while hiking – if you are prone to tripping or stumbling, sometimes it is wise to watch your feet. However, there is something else in this photo. Look at it here:

This is a tick. (Weird word in English – tick-tock, that ticks me off, this tick will bite you if given a chance, the worry of getting bitten is giving me a tic under my left eye, etc.) These little critters sit on the ends of grasses and branches just waiting to hop aboard an unsuspecting body as it passes by. The hike to Marble Falls needs to include stopping to do Tick Checks from time to time!

On the photo above, see the white near the bottom right that looks like a falls? It isn’t. Really! It is marble, but it isn’t water!

(photo above) These are falls along the Marble Fork, but they aren’t Marble Falls either.

This is Marble Falls, 3.9 miles up the trail. Couldn’t find a place to take a decent photo! The falls are most impressive if you are sitting on the marble at the top and seeing the water fall off into space.

The falls are below Eleven Range Lookout on the Generals Highway on the east, and at the base of Admiration Point on the west. This is off the Colony Mill Road (that you can no longer drive on), which connects the Crystal Cave Road to North Fork Drive.

And finally, here is a view of the trail on the way back and one more of the river back near Potwisha.

First Saturdays

I’ve been derelict on my notification duties. As part of the Art Co-op and as a participant in First Saturdays, I am supposed to notify my email lists each month. I don’t like receiving routine group emails, and as a result, I am reluctant to send them. So, my chosen alternative is to post info on my blog, and for some undefined reason, I messed up there too. Please accept this photo of The Art Co-op on January 2 for “Winter White” First Saturday as an apology and an invitation to the next First Saturday, February 6. (Just so you know that I am consistent in my pursuit of authenticity: all 14 snowflakes I cut had 6 points, but none appear in this photo! ) The snowflakes are still in The Art Co-op; alas, the real snowman out in the courtyard is but a memory.

Artists Wanted!

If you click on this little thing, it will get large. Very large indeed. I’m sorry that I don’t know how to make it a normal size for you.

Artists wanted Three Rivers

The Art Co-op, more news

There is a wood carver named Zachary Z. Zachary. (No kidding!) He lives in Visalia and is now showing and selling his totem poles at The Art Co-op. Have a look!

The Art Co-op

The featured artist for the month of January is Nikki Crain, weaver extraordinaire! She is also a maker of soy candles, and as if that weren’t enough, she draws too! You can find her scarves, mug rugs, baby blankets, dish towels, candles and cards at The Art Co-op. 41707 Sierra Drive, Three Rivers. Tuesday through Sunday. 11-5. (Can’t have the scarf on the far right – it sold Thursday.)

Nikki Crain The Art Co-op Three Rivers weaving

More about Sisters

How does an artist know when a painting is finished? This artist stops painting when more does not equal better. This painting needs another layer of detail on the background. After that, it might need some more refining on the sisters. After that, it might need more detail on the background. After that it might need more refining on the sisters. You get the idea, I hope.

New subject painted!

The exclamation point is there because sometimes it seems as if I only paint Mineral King, sequoias, oranges and poppies. Here is something new for you to see:

Sold!

Odd Job

A dear friend, B, is a very accomplished quilter. She is also a true Mineral King person. Check out this quilt she made:

In case you need a tour guide, this is a view of Sawtooth, with Monarch Falls and the East fork of the Kaweah River. B was not pleased with Monarch Falls as it appeared in fabric form, so she requested a painted quilt square to replace it. Took some real planning! We walked to the view, I did a sketch, we laid out the quilt and I sketched it in place on tissue paper over the top of the quilt. Then I cut a piece of fabric, taped off the seam allowance, and coated it with gesso. Then, I lost it for awhile. After I cleaned out a closet, it reappeared, and I painted it as B and I planned.

This shows it just lying on the quilt without being stitched (hence, the white border). I actually mixed paint to match part of the fabric! Isn’t this a cool idea? Isn’t B an over-the-top quilter?

Mineral King quilt

Random thoughts for the new year

An entire week has passed in 2010 and I have no blog posts to show for it! Here is a list:

Stacy, I didn’t forget your birthday; I just didn’t send a card. Happy Birthday, “old” friend! 8:)
Remember how I’ve told you that if one is an artist, one gets asked to do unusual things? Pay attention; a blog about one of those unusual projects is forthcoming.
The Art Co-op has new winter hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Still closed Tuesdays; my day is still Thursday.
The feral cats are getting used to me, sort of. I can pet Cashmere (the mom) and O’Reilly (the bold fresh kitten). However, Mr. Tail-less-Nameless remains afraid. He sure stares at me a lot.
Artists are wanted for the First Saturdays in Three Rivers. A poster is forthcoming.
Zeke hates it when I blog and I have to stop now or he will sit on the keyboard. He is blocking the screen at this moment.